Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 October 2016
106. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the funds that have been granted through his Department for an engineer for south Galway lowlands project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32276/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra107. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the funds that have been granted through his Department for conducting an EPA for the south Galway lowlands project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32277/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra109. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason for the delay with the Kiltartan scheme in south Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32279/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 106, 107 and 109 together.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) and Galway County Council (GCC) have been in consultation in relation to the flooding issues in South Galway, with particular emphasis on the Gort Lowlands, and how best to advance a possible flood relief scheme for this area. Following a request from GCC, OPW recently confirmed its agreement in principle to the advancement of a potential scheme for the Gort Lowlands and to provide any technical assistance that GCC may require as the Council will be acting as the Contracting Authority for this project.
Once the tendering processes for the required design and environmental consultants have been completed it is expected that the Council will revert to the OPW in relation to specific funding requests, before entering into any contractual agreements. If approved, funding will be provided to the Council for the appointment of the consultants to develop solutions to deal with the flooding problem and to undertake any surveys which may be required.
OPW will consider any request from the Council for funding to procure the services of a project engineer specifically for this project as the development of a scheme will be complex due to the particular geological and ecological characteristics of the area. Subject to a viable scheme emerging which is both cost beneficial and environmentally acceptable and which meets with general public acceptance, the Council may request confirmation of funding arrangements from OPW to undertake its construction.
As part of the investigation into the problem there will be significant consultation with statutory bodies and the general public during the course of the scheme development where input and knowledge from the local community will be considered very important. If a viable solution emerges it will have to be brought forward through planning either under the provisions of the Arterial Drainage Acts or the Planning and Development Regulations at which stage the public will have every opportunity to make further submissions on the proposals.
Engineering measures/options to alleviate localised flooding in the Kiltartan area including a recent proposal to install a new culvert directly from Kiltartan River to Coole River, can be considered as part of the strategic approach by GCC to examine options for a Flood Relief Scheme for the Gort Lowlands area as a whole.
